From Brain to Germline: How Perception Affects Genetic Inheritance

Project Code: IMMLER_UEA_ARIES27

From Brain to Germline: How Perception Affects Genetic Inheritance

Project Code: IMMLER_UEA_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Simone Immler, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia – contact me

Professor Tracey Chapman, School of Biological Sciences, UEA

Professor Alexei Maklakov, School of Biological Sciences, UEA

 

Scientific Background:

Natural environments are changing rapidly as average temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent. How species respond will help determine whether populations adapt or decline. Reproduction is especially vulnerable: fertility can be disrupted at temperatures below those that threaten survival, and males are often more sensitive than females.

Heat can also alter the genetic and epigenetic information carried by sperm and eggs. These changes may be passed to offspring and affect how later generations respond to temperature. They are usually assumed to result from direct heat damage to reproductive tissues in exposed organisms.

And alternative idea is that temperature-sensing neurons, without increasing the temperature, can change small RNAs and the activity of transposable elements in the germline. This raises an important question: can sensing heat prepare or protect the germline before damage occurs? This project will test whether the germline responds to perceived as well as actual temperature change, and whether these responses influence future generations.

 

Research Methodology:

You will test how zebrafish react to perceived and actual temperature changes, and perform experimental work by training fish and measuring the effects on phenotypic data such as behavioural changes as well as effects of their offspring. You will collect samples for transcriptome sequencing and molecular assays and perform bioinformatic analyses on the resulting data. Multigenerational crosses and fitness assays in juvenile and adult fish will determine whether these changes are inherited, improve survival or reproduction under later heat stress, or carry costs in later generations. Together, these approaches will reveal whether sensing temperature prepares the germline and helps populations adapt to climate change.

 

Training:

You will gain practical experience in a wide range of skills including animal husbandry and behavioural conditioning, experimental and multigenerational design, and fitness assays in juvenile and adult fish. You will develop molecular and computational skills through quantitative PCR, small-RNA and transcriptome sequencing, statistical analysis and bioinformatics, while building expertise in evolution, genomics, physiology and reproductive biology. Training in scientific writing, presentation and career development will be supported through ARIES courses, conferences, local seminars, research discussion groups and journal clubs.

 

Person Specification:

We seek a curious, motivated and collaborative individual with a background in genetics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, ecology or a related biological science. Prior experience with model organisms, molecular techniques, quantitative analysis, bioinformatics or programming is desirable but not essential.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Biological sciences, including genetics, evolutionary biology, ecology, molecular biology, reproductive biology, neuroscience or a related discipline.

References

  • Godden, A. M. and Immler, S. (2023). The potential role of the mobile and non-coding genomes in adaptive response. Trends in Genetics 39, 5-8. doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2022.08.006
  • Godden, A. M. et al. (2025). Environmentally induced variation in sperm sRNAs is linked to gene expression and transposable elements in zebrafish offspring. Heredity 134, 234-246. doi.org/10.1038/s41437-025-00752-2
  • Harris, I., Duxbury, E. M. L., Chapman, T., Immler, S. and Maklakov, A. A. (2026). Evolutionary trade-offs between intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects. Evolution Letters, qrag031. doi.org/10.1093/evlett/qrag031
  • Godden, A. M. et al. (2025). Sex-specific responses of small RNAs and transposable elements to thermal stress in zebrafish germ cells. bioRxiv. doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.15.688619
  • Teichman, G. et al. (2024). Perception of temperature even in the absence of actual change is sufficient to drive transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. bioRxiv. doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.02.626416

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the University of East Anglia Application Portal